African Safari Photo and Hunting Trip Question: This subject will possibly include discussion on hunting animals so if you are anti hunting please move on as it is not my intention to...

Dave R. Loc: PNW

This subject will possibly include discussion on hunting animals so if you are anti hunting please move on as it is not my intention to stir the pot. My wife and I are giving serious consideration on going to Africa to hunt plains game and combine that as a photo safari. I am wondering if anyone here has been on safari for both hunting and photography and if so your views on the pro's and con's of doing so. I would also be interested in any recommended outfitters.
We recently went to a local sportsman's show in our area and spoke with several outfitters from Africa. Options abound so making it a personalized trip is possible. Right now a 10 day safari is the most appealing but would pay more if convinced to stay for a longer period of time to take full advantage of the trip. Our thanks in advance.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Dave R. wrote:

This subject will possibly include discussion on h... (show quote)

Just be sure that the animals aren't hunting you instead. >AL

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Before I became such a fanatic about photography I was invited to a safari in Africa to hunt Cape buffalo. First, I was lucky enough to come back alive: we were the ones being stalked and hunted by the buffalo; second, I was fortunate to bag one using a 0.910" NitroExpress bullet. Needless to say, it took me several weeks to get over a dislocated right shoulder resulting from the recoil. My next trip will strictly be dedicated to photography and my new Nikon 200-500mm zoom. I am quite sure it will be a lot more fun and more relaxed. No more guns.

Dave R. Loc: PNW

aellman wrote:

Just be sure that the animals aren't hunting you instead. >AL

Thanks and you make a great point. I guess thats part of my question. If any experience on safari who has the best PH for such an adventure. After all it is their job to keep us safe.

Dave R. Loc: PNW

Julian wrote:

Before I became such a fanatic about photography I... (show quote)

OUCH>>>That caliber gun would probably lay me out for the count. Hopefully you don't flinch every time you see a .22 now. I would keep it to plains game and none of the biggies. My gun of choice, at least right now is my 270 wsm. Big enough to give a serious hurt to an elk so it should work fine for plains game. It's a good shooter and I'm confident out to around 400 yds. if shooting flat.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Dave R. wrote:

OUCH>>>That caliber gun would probably lay me out for the count. Hopefully you don't flinch every time you see a .22 now. I would keep it to plains game and none of the biggies. My gun of choice, at least right now is my 270 wsm. Big enough to give a serious hurt to an elk so it should work fine for plains game. It's a good shooter and I'm confident out to around 400 yds. if shooting flat.

The 270 is called the 'deer slayer' down south, but I will also take down any four-legged creature in North America. Good hunting.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Julian wrote:

Before I became such a fanatic about photography I... (show quote)

Wow .910! Biggest I used was a Winchester .458 Magnum and the spun me around and put me on my bum the very first time I fired it. Are you taking any other lens than the 200-500 with you? I ask only because in many cases I had to drop down to my 18-200mm as the 200-0 was just too long for some shots!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Dave R. wrote:

This subject will possibly include discussion on h... (show quote)

Are you hunting for meat or trophy? I have no problem with the former but if the latter
- stay the hell out of anywhere. All trophy hunters want to prove is how big their Penis is.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

boberic wrote:

Are you hunting for meat or trophy? I have no problem with the former but if the latter
- stay the hell out of anywhere. All trophy hunters want to prove is how big their Penis is.

Aren't you high and mighty. Often when hunting in distant locations where it isn't practical to ship the meat home, it is donated to local residents who greatly appreciate it. Even here at home, many hunters donate the meat to local food banks.

Your disgust shows your ignorance of wildlife conservation. Hunters pay large fees to harvest a renewable resource. Those fees are the main means of conservation support for the species involved. Do you pay any fees when you go out photographing wildlife? I doubt it.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Tigger1 wrote:

Wow .910! Biggest I used was a Winchester .458 Magnum and the spun me around and put me on my bum the very first time I fired it. Are you taking any other lens than the 200-500 with you? I ask only because in many cases I had to drop down to my 18-200mm as the 200-0 was just too long for some shots!

My Pelican cases are packed. I am taking the Nikon trilogy! That's a heavy load but most likely only one lens will fit the situation.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Julian wrote:

My Pelican cases are packed. I am taking the Nikon trilogy! That's a heavy load but most likely only one lens will fit the situation.

Agreed, sounds like you have the situation covered. I assume your 200-500 is part of that trilogy? Are you doing most of your wildlife photograph out of a safari vehicle? If so, I suggest discussing with your safari guide some sort of camera/lens support system. I found a bean bag very helpful when using the 200-500 on my two bodies. No room in the Toyota Land Cruiser for a tripod so bean bag seemed the best compromise. Next time we go, I think I will take a "rail clamp" which I can then mount my gimbal head on.
Assuming you do take firearms for your game hunting portion of the safari, specifically what animals are you seeking and what rifles do you propose using. Your alternative may be to rent what you need from the safari operator.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I've had friends go on photo trips to Africa and they strongly recommend using a wide angle zoom like a 18 - 300 and, due to intense dust, never changing lenses in the field.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Tigger1 wrote:

Agreed, sounds like you have the situation covered... (show quote)

Based on an earlier discussion I plan to take a bean bag for my 200-500 on our trip in April. But with the amazing VR on that critter and the ability to use high ISO on my D800 to get high shutter speed I'm not concered about getting clear shots.

My dilemma is on whether to bring my D5300 also with a more modest range lens. I understand sometimes the critters are too close for 200mm...all the way up to the vehicle. Advice is you don't want to change lenses in the field due to dust.

I don't want to haul extra stuff but might cave on this one. It is a once-in-a-lfetime bucket list trip for us. We've chartered a small plane and are going to four camps in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

No issues with hunting. Filled my freezer this year with an elk that wandered through my yard during my muzzleloader permit season. The .5 bullet from it was good enough for the 400 lb. elk.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

One of my favorite Men's Get together is an annual "Hunters Return" charity dinner- a potluck of all kinds of meat from wild game donated by local hunters with a guest speaker and lots of raffled prizes.
my hunting rifle is now a 7mm Magnum - long reaching with great hitting power.

GregWCIL wrote:

Aren't you high and mighty. Often when hunting in ... (show quote)

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

MtnMan wrote:

Based on an earlier discussion I plan to take a be... (show quote)

Hi MtnMan,
From my experiences I would recommend taking your D5300 also. I usually keep my 18-200 on my D5100. Dust is a big issue, so limit lens changes. The other issue is heat waves at longer ranges and longer focal lengths! Have a great safari, post your pics when you get back. You are in for a great experience. A 400 lb. elk in your back yard is exciting, but a 5 ton elephant walking past your safari vehicle within spitting distance is over the top!!!